Fatima Payman (WA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to speak on an issue that affects every woman and, by extension, every family, workplace and community in this country: perimenopause and menopause. These are natural stages of life, but they are too often misunderstood, dismissed or ignored. It's time to change that. More than 2.5 million Australian women are in the age range where these transitions begin. For some, symptoms may pass with little notice. For many others the experience is profoundly disruptive. This is not just about a few hot flushes or sleepless nights. Perimenopause, which proceeds menopause, can bring dozens of symptoms—debilitating symptoms—lasting years. Anxiety, depression, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, heart palpitations and a host of other physical and emotional challenges often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Here is the stark truth: seven per cent of midlife women have missed work because of these symptoms. Another 17 per cent have taken extended breaks over the past five years. One in four report that their symptoms have made daily life a struggle. These numbers translate into hundreds of thousands of women being forced to step back from work, family and community life not because they want to but because they cannot get the support they need. Even finding a doctor who truly understands is a challenge. Too often, women are told that they are too young to be experiencing these symptoms, or are handed antidepressants as a quick fix. Many women are left cycling through multiple GPs before finding the one with genuine knowledge of perimenopause and menopause. This is not just frustrating; it is damaging. Women deserve better.

The flawed study from decades ago which unfairly cast a shadow over hormone replacement therapy deprived an entire generation of women of life-enhancing treatments. We cannot let that mistake continue to harm women today. Menopausal hormone therapy or MHT is a proven treatment that can offer real relief, yet it remains financially out of reach for many because it is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

This is just one part of the puzzle. Women need access to affordable care, but they are also need informed care. Education for medical professionals must improve so that women are met with understanding and expertise, not disbelief and outdated advice. Research into perimenopause and menopause must be prioritised so that we can contribute to advanced treatment options. Imagine a future where MHT is subsidised by the PBS, making it accessible to all women who need it. Imagine a healthcare system where doctors are trained to recognise and treat perimenopause and menopause with the respect and attention these stages deserve. Imagine workplaces that offer flexibility and understanding, ensuring women can thrive through this phase of life. This is about more than women's health; this is about societal health. When women are supported, they're not just surviving; they're thriving. They're fully present in their families, they contribute to their workplaces and they enrich their communities.

Gen X and millennial women are going through this now. Boomer women are reflecting on what they have missed out on: quality-of-life-saving medication and resources. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us ensure that every woman in this country has access to the care, education and support she deserves no matter her stage of life. Fellow senators, it's time to act. We need to subsidise MHT through the PBS. We need to invest in education and training for medical professionals. We need to fund research to better understand these transitions and create a healthcare system where women are believed, supported and empowered. When we do this, we are not just addressing a health issue. We are building a society where these values uplift women at every stage of their life. The time to act is now.